Why is the Fitbit app sending a notification to my Android phone?

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Beginning with the release of Android 8.0 (Oreo), Google changed the way you’re notified about apps running in the background on your phone. If your phone is running the Android 8 operating system, you’ll receive a Fitbit Sync Service alert on your phone to inform you that the Fitbit app is running in the background.

When an app runs in the background, it runs even if you aren’t using the app. Note that all apps that run in the background affect your phone’s battery life.

Why am I receiving the notification?

You’ll see a Fitbit Sync Service notification on your phone to let you know the Fitbit app is running. You’ll see this notification even if you close the Fitbit app because the app is running in the background. This notification is a feature of the Android 8 operating system, and it remains on your phone unless you choose to hide it. For more information about hiding the notification, see the instructions below.

Why does the Fitbit app need to run in the background?

The Fitbit app runs in the background to keep you connected with certain Fitbit app features such as all-day sync, connected GPS, and receiving notifications from your phone.

If the Fitbit app doesn’t run in the background, you may notice some issues with app features, such as:

Delayed notifications from your phone

All-day sync not syncing your Fitbit device

Connected GPS losing connection

Apps not running correctly on your watch

If you choose not to run the Fitbit app in the background, you can still manually sync your Fitbit device by opening the Fitbit app. For more information, see How do Fitbit devices sync their data?

What actions can I take in the notification?

When you open the Fitbit Sync Service notification, you’ll see the last time you synced your Fitbit device. The notification also provides an option for you to sync your device without opening the Fitbit app, or to take you directly to the Challenges or Account tabs in the Fitbit app.

Can I hide the notification?

To hide the Fitbit Sync Service notification:

Press and hold on the notification.

Turn the notification off.

Tap Done.

The Fitbit app continues to run in the background, but you won’t be notified.

If you hide the Fitbit Sync Service notification, you’ll receive a different notification from the Android operating system letting you know the Fitbit app is using battery resources. All apps that run in the background affect your phone’s battery life.

To hide the Using battery notification:

On your phone, swipe down to see your notifications so that the Using Battery notification is fully visible.

Press and hold on the notification, and then turn it off.

Tap Done.

Can I adjust which notifications the Fitbit app sends to my phone?

The Fitbit Sync Service notification provides a shortcut to your phone’s Settings app so that you can adjust the notifications you receive from the Fitbit app to your phone. To open the Settings app, press and hold on the Fitbit Sync Service notification and tap All Categories.